"Who is LSU now that Angel (Reese) is gone?": Assistant coach unravels tough question that Kim Mulkey's team needs to answer

Seimone Augustus, the basketball legend who transformed Louisiana State University and the WNBA, recently shared her take on LSU's future after their star player Angel Reese departed for the WNBA. Reese’s announcement to leave college for the WNBA was one of the biggest stories of 2024.

Ausgutus was officially recognized among the sport’s greats after her induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on October 12, 2024.

In an episode of In Case You Missed It, hosted by Khristina Williams, Augustus discussed LSU’s outlook following Reese’s departure. She explained that the team now faces the challenge of rediscovering its identity.

“People are like alright, who is LSU now that Angel (Reese) is gone? Angel was the leader, Angel was like leader on and off the court, points, rebounds, everything,” Augustus said.

Reese was a key scorer for LSU, which left a big gap when she moved on to professional basketball. Seimone Augustus added:

“So now we get to see a new set of leaders, a new set of followers, a new set of competitors... who’s going to step up to this challenge and fill that role... and it may not be one person; it may be multiple people that have to step into those shoes.”

On April 3, Reese made her intentions clear through an Instagram post and a feature story in Vogue. Her decision came just after LSU’s intense Elite Eight matchup against Iowa in the NCAA tournament on April 1.

After winning the 2023 national championship, Reese was selected 7th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the most viewed in the league’s history. She now frequently attends celebrity events and social gatherings. In a recent episode of her podcast, Unapologetically, hosted by fashion stylist Law Roach, she spoke about the demands of her new, high-profile life and her need for designer clothing to match.

Seimone Augustus sees Reese’s exit as a turning point for LSU, where the team will have to adapt and grow in the absence of its former star.

Seimone Augustus’ role at LSU from court legend to coach

Joining the prestigious Class of 2024, Augustus shared her Hall of Fame honor with basketball stars like former Phoenix Mercury player and Australian international Michele Timms.

Augustus’ basketball journey has now led her to coach LSU. Her coaching career started with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she served as an assistant in 2021 and 2022. She then took a short break before returning to LSU in May 2024 to join Kim Mulkey’s coaching staff. Mulkey, herself a Hall of Fame coach, was thrilled to welcome Augustus back, saying:

“Seimone helped transform the program as the best player in the nation. Her expertise in the game will benefit our team and allow our players the opportunity to learn from a Hall of Famer who has exhibited great class throughout her entire career.”

Known for her achievements as a 4-time WNBA champion and 8-time All-Star, Augustus has now expanded her influence off the court.

​